21 best smartphones under ₹20,000

From Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro to Oppo Realme 1, here are the best smartphones you can buy right now in India for under ₹20,000.

Buying a smartphone is far from a straightforward process. Look for best smartphones under ₹20,000 and chances are you’ll find yourself staring one too many smartphone models. With more mobile phone companies manufacturing smartphones under ₹20,000 than ever before, you are bound to face a paralysis of choice. Companies are cramming their smartphones with features, while keeping the price tag in check.

Best smartphones under ₹20,000

If you are on a tight budget and yet looking for a feature-laden smartphone, we are here to help. To make your buying decision easy, here are 20 best smartphones under ₹20,000.

1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro has it all – a big 6-inch screen, more than enough power, dual cameras, long long battery life courtesy of the 4,000mAh battery and more. It’s a surprise the smartphone is this cheap. Good luck getting your hands on one though. Price: ₹14,999 (4GB RAM), ₹16,999 (6GB RAM)

2. Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1

The smartphone that comes closest to offsetting the Redmi Note 5 Pro’s dominance is the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1. Regarded as one of the best Asus smartphones in recent times, the Zenfone Max Pro M1 features a 6-inch display, a very capable Snapdragon 636 chipset, face unlock, and a massive 5,000mAh battery. Its best feature though is the fact that it runs stock Android with no bloatware to affect performance, making it one of the best smartphones under ₹20,000. Price: ₹10,999 (32GB), ₹12,999 (64GB)

3. Oppo Realme 1

The Realme 1 is the latest smartphone to enter the Indian market. The device focuses on two key areas – design and front camera. On the design front, it boasts a diamond-cut finish, which makes it look much more expensive than it actually is. For selfies, the Realme 1 features an impressive 8MP camera that is backed by AI. Price: ₹10,990 (64GB), ₹13,990 (128GB)

4. Xiaomi Redmi Y2

The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 takes the term ‘value for money’ to another level. The smartphone’s USP is its 16MP front camera that is backed by Artificial Intelligence, and features Beautify 4.0. In short, the smartphone will let you click the best selfies possible at this price range. The Redmi Y2 also features 6-inch display, dual cameras, and face unlock. Price: ₹9,999 (32GB), ₹12,999 (64GB)

5. Huawei P20 Lite

The Huawei P20 Lite is the cheaper version of the impressive P20 Pro. But don’t go by the low price tag. What you are getting is a smartphone that looks as classy as many of the more premium devices. Also worth noting is the smartphone’s photographic chops that could easily be the best in this price segment. Price: ₹19,999

6. Honor 9 Lite

The Honor 9 Lite stands out in this crowded price segment courtesy of its four cameras. Yes, four cameras! It has a 13MP+2MP dual-camera setup at the back as well as the front. Another noteworthy aspect is the smartphone’s glass-finish back, which surely grabs the eyeballs. Price: Rs 10,999 (32GB), Rs 14,999 (64GB)

7. Motorola Moto G6

Motorola’s Moto G6 is a true all-rounder, and also happens to be the first Moto G-series device to boast dual cameras. The smartphone features a 5.7-inch 18:9 display, Snapdragon 450 chipset, water resistant capabilities, and a decent battery life. The battery also supports TurboPower, which Motorola says “gives you hours of battery life in just minutes of charging”. Price: ₹13,999 (32GB), ₹15,999 (64GB)

8. Samsung Galaxy J8

With the Galaxy J8, Samsung is bringing its edge-to-edge Infinity Display to the affordable price range. The 6-inch 18.5:9 aspect ratio display wraps around the edges to give you a truly bezel-less experience. Apart from the display, you also get dual cameras, face unlock, and a 3,500mAh battery. Which is what makes it one of the best smartphones under ₹20,000. Price: ₹18,990

9. Samsung Galaxy On Max

The Samsung Galaxy On Max’s low-light photographic capabilities is why it is in our list of the best smartphones under ₹20,000. Both the front and back cameras boast large apertures that let in more light through the sensors. In layman terms, you will be able to capture brighter photos even in really low lighting conditions. Price: ₹13,900

10. Samsung Galaxy A6

The Samsung Galaxy A6 offers the best of Galaxy J8 and the Galaxy On Max, packed in a metal unibody. Like the Galaxy J8, the new Galaxy A6 also flaunts an edge-to-edge Infinity Display. Like the Galaxy On Max, it also features a 16MP camera with f/1.7 aperture that is great for shooting photos in low-light. You can also click selfies in low lighting thanks to the 16MP f/1.9 camera that is accompanied by a soft LED flash. Price: ₹ 19,990 (32GB)

11. Vivo V9 Youth

The Vivo V9 Youth offers a 6.3-inch full-screen display with notch, a capable processor, dual cameras at the back, and a 16MP selfie camera. All this at a fraction of the cost of Apple’s flagship smartphone. Price: ₹18,990

12. Honor 7X

The Honor 7X offers the right blend of design, performance, and price. It features a gorgeous metal body, and the IP67 certification makes it resistant to water and dust. The front side is dominated by a 5.93-inch screen with very thin bezels surrounding it. The smartphone’s internals are more than capable of handling day-to-day tasks, while the dual cameras let you click DSLR-like portrait photos. Price: ₹11,999 (32GB), ₹14,999 (64GB)

13. Vivo V7+

Vivo’s smartphones unabashedly cater to the selfie-loving crowd. The Vivo V7+ is no different. The smartphone boasts a 24MP front camera with soft flash support. Essentially, you will be able to shoot great selfies in both ideal and less than ideal lighting conditions. The Vivo V7+ also flaunts an edge-to-edge 5.99-inch Fullview display. Price: Rs 19,990

14. Nokia 6 (2018)

With the Nokia 6 (2018) you get a smartphone that looks good, is built like a tank, and is more than capable of handling day-to-day tasks. More importantly, the device is Android One certified, which promises timely software updates. Something that is a rarity in the Android world. Price: ₹16,999 (32GB), ₹18,999 (64GB)

16. Oppo F5

This was the first Oppo smartphone with a full-screen 18:9 aspect ratio display. But the real talking point is the Oppo F5’s selfie camera. Oppo says the 20MP camera has been developed with the help of professional photographers and make-up artists. The camera is backed by AI Beauty technology that can identify shapes and facial features to help you click the best selfie possible. Price: ₹17,990

17. Xiaomi Mi Max 2

If you are looking for something that is bigger than a conventional smartphone yet smaller than a tablet, do consider the Xiaomi Mi Max 2. The massive 6.44-inch 1080p display and stereo speakers make this your best companion for when you want to watch Netflix shows on the move. The large 5,300mAh battery also means you won’t have to go hunting for a charger in-between episodes. Price: ₹13,999 (32GB), ₹15,999 (64GB)

18. Oppo F7

The Oppo F7 is far from the most premium looking devices in this list of the best smartphones under ₹20,000. But it more than makes up with by offering a decent display, capable chipset, and long battery life. But its USP is the superb 25MP selfie camera that also comes with features like HDR mode, and AI-backed Beauty mode. Price: ₹19,990

19. Motorola Moto Z2 Play

Over time, the Moto Z2 Play’s price tag has fallen and it is now available for under ₹20,000. At this price, the Moto Z2 Play makes for a tempting buy with its bright AMOLED display, efficient processor, good cameras, and excellent battery life. But its Moto Mods-supporting modular capabilities is what makes the Moto Z2 Play a particularly enticing buy. Price: ₹17,389

20. HTC Desire 12+

Reliability and easy offline availability are why the HTC Desire 12+ makes it to our list. As is the case with all HTC devices, the Desire 12+ is well built, looks good, and boasts decent specifications. It features a 6-inch tall 18:9 display, dual cameras, a fingerprint sensor, and runs Android Oreo out-of-the-box. Price: ₹19,790

21. Apple iPhone SE

For those looking to try out Apple’s ecosystem for the first time, the iPhone SE is the perfect buy. It may not be the latest device out there, but it is quite capable of handling everyday tasks. And the best part – you don’t need to save a year’s worth of salary to buy it. Price: ₹17,999